"First of all, potential Hall of Famer," Cooks said of the opportunity to play with Brees during a "My Draft Day" Google Hangout presented by the NFL Players Association. "I love what he does. He's a fantastic quarterback. He's smart. And the beauty about it (is) he gets the
ball to all his receivers, so he's not just a one-stop shop.

"He's getting it to
everybody, including the tight end and the guys in the backfield."

The Saints moved up seven spots to add Cooks to a potent passing offense, trading their third-round pick (No. 91 overall) to the Arizona Cardinals. Coach Sean Payton later told reporters in New Orleans that Cooks "was someone we identified that we might trade up to get if we felt it was necessary."

Yet Cooks acknowledged he was surprised to get the call from Payton and general manager Mickey Loomis to let him know he was their pick. Cooks made just one team visit before the draft -- to the New York Jets -- and had last talked to the organization during his interview at the scouting combine in February.

"When I heard from both of those guys, it was just an amazing feeling," Cooks said. " ... it just warmed my heart."

Cooks rolled up 128 catches, 1,730 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior in 2013, thriving in the Beavers’ pro-style offense that utilized his blazing speed, precise route-running and ability to make defenders miss to become a weapon in the vertical passing game, on underneath routes, on the fly sweep play and on special teams. He’s also known for his strong work ethic and high character.

A 5-foot-10, 190-pound frame was the biggest knock against Cooks coming out of college. But then he wowed at the combine, running a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash that was the fastest time amongst the wide receivers and the second-fastest mark overall. That performance helped elevate him into the first-round conversation.

"One thing about him that stood out is he's a tough player both physically and mentally," Payton said. "He's been very consistent, very durable. Obviously, he runs well.

"His interview was fantastic," Payton added. "A lot of intangibles besides just his skill set as a player that were really exciting."

"We just saw this guy as a real good fit," Payton said. "In this case he filled a need. ... He does give us a (deep) threat and he's a guy that can be used in a lot of ways."

Cooks joins a New Orleans squad that ranked second in the NFL in passing offense (307 yards per game) last season and features prime pass-catchers Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham. The Saints, however, recently lost complementary receiver Lance Moore in free agency and traded running back Darren Sproles, who was often a weapon in the passing game.

Cooks was the fourth receiver selected in Thursday's first round, following Clemson's
Sammy Watkins (fourth overall to the Buffalo Bills), Texas A&M's
Mike Evans (seventh overall to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and LSU's Odell
Beckham, Jr. (12th overall to the New York Giants). He's also the first Oregon State product to be drafted in the first round since Steven Jackson went 24th overall to the St. Louis Rams in 2004.

Cooks will depart for New Orleans Sunday, a city he's never visited. He said he's looking forward to trying some of the city's famous Southern cuisine, as well as being a part of the "Who Dat Nation."

After being selected, Cooks greeted NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on the stage at Radio Music Hall.

It was a dream realized for the Stockton, Calif. product, whose well-documented backstory includes losing his father to a heart attack when he was 6 and watching an older brother go to prison.

Cooks has said his dream is to retire his mother, Andrea, who raised Brandin and his three older brothers largely on her own.

Being drafted Thursday certainly brought Cooks closer to that goal.

"It was fantastic," Cooks said of the moment he shared with his mom just after being drafted. "Speechless. Words can't explain the
feeling of that. I was tapping her because I didn't want her crying until I
walked off, because I wasn't trying to walk on stage with tears on my face.

"It
was one of those things I could just see the stress come off her shoulders. She
was more excited for me than I was for myself."